Pine Tree Notes - GFWC/Maine · 2016-03-12 · Pine Tree Notes March / April 2016 Page 3 DISTRICT PRESIDENTS District 1 Nancy Kenty [email protected] District 2 Joyce Noonan [email protected]

Pine Tree Notes March / April 2016 Page 1

President’s Letter Marjorie Goodwin [email protected] It doesn't seem possible that this is the last letter that I will write as your GFWC Maine President! What a wonderful experience this has been! As I visited with you at your club meetings, State and District meetings and at special events, you made me feel so welcome. I have learned much about what volunteerism in a community is all about. You are a very important part of the communities you live in. Thank you for all that you have done to make your community a better place to live in.

On May 12th and 13th I hope to see many of you at our Spring Convention at Sable Oaks in South Portland. This is the time of the year when we hear about what the women's clubs in GFWC Maine have done in their communities. Recognition is given to clubs for the many projects they have done. (We don't do good things just for recognition but it is always nice to know that our efforts are appreciated.) The annual Art Show entries show us that our High School students are very talented and we are fortunate that they will share their talents with us. The Club Scrapbooks are “histories” of what clubs do each year in their communities and it is great that GFWC Maine clubs share these scrapbooks with each other. Be sure to visit the Market Place, as there will be opportunities to purchase “that item you just can't live without”. Marian St. Clair, GFWC Second Vice President will be our special guest at the convention. She is a charming and dedicated clubwoman. She will be speaking to us on Thursday and will be Installing Officer at the installation of officers on Friday afternoon. An exciting time for GFWC Maine! Entertainment at our Thursday evening banquet is going to be very special. John MacDonald, Humorist/Storyteller will be entertaining us with his “wit”. He writes a column “Numb as a Pounded Thumb” in a weekly newspaper here in central Maine and is author of several books. This is an evening you won't want to miss. Again, a very heartfelt “thank you” to all of you for embracing the President's Project as you have for this Administration. The “word” is out and it is because of you, GFWC Maine clubwomen. I look forward to seeing you in May and beyond. A new Administration will be starting and exciting plans are being made for GFWC Maine for the coming year. My great-aunt always told me - “we have to keep on, keeping on”. Let us do just that, together. In Federation love, Marjorie Goodwin, GFWC Maine President

Pine Tree Notes

GFWC Maine Newsletter March / April 2016

Proud member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs

Our Past Will Determine Our Future


President-elect Mary Libby [email protected]

Vice President Nancy Ames [email protected]

A big “Thanks” to all Clubs for getting their Annual Reporting to me on a timely basis. I am so proud of GFWC Maine Clubs and all the projects we do for others. All Reports were sent off to Committee Chairmen within a week of receiving them. Let’s hope GFWC Maine wins some awards at the GFWC Convention in Baltimore in June!

Recording Secretary Carol Jarvais [email protected]

Treasurer Sheri Walsh [email protected]

Corresponding Secretary Wendy Bowler [email protected] My final Pine Tree Notes, thank you all for your great articles and photos.

It has made producing PTN interesting and fun. Keep up the great work! Although the next deadline for PTN is not until August, there is much to do this spring. Please go to the last pages of your 2015-2016 directory, there are forms you will need to complete: Carolyn Lombardi Traveling Trophy – May 1st postmark

Club Data Sheet – due May 20th This information needs to be forwarded to GFWC, so please make sure you get the form completed & sent in. Looking forward to see everyone in May!

Parliamentary Advisor Libby Wiers [email protected]

GFWC Maine

2016 Dates to Remember:

April 2nd – District 2 Annual Meeting April 9th – District 3 Annual Meeting April 16th – District 1 Annual Meeting

May 12th & 13th – GFWC Maine SPRING CONVENTION


DISTRICT PRESIDENTS District 1 Nancy Kenty

[email protected] District 2 Joyce Noonan

[email protected] District 3 Jane Le Vie

[email protected] District 4 Sheri Walsh

[email protected] CLUB NEWS DISTRICT 1 GFWC Gorham Woman’s Club The Gorham Woman’s Club started the New Year with Jan Shrock, daughter of organizer of Heifer International. Jan was an excellent speaker and provided wonderful information about the organization. Jan sent the club copies of the DVD 12 Stones, which is about Heifer International program. The DVD are to be made available at the libraries and local schools. In February, the club had an interesting meeting learning about various scams that happen to people and what to be aware of to avoid being scammed. Each member received a booklet to take home and share with others. The club also voted to print a flyer with articles from “The Information Highway” that has been part of GFWC Maine President Marge’s project to be distributed throughout various churches and other organizations throughout town. The club was also pleased to welcome 2 new members in January. One of which, Pamela Tiffany, has volunteered to create a website for the club!

GFWC Research Club of Limerick The Research Club of Limerick would like to share a few accomplishments while still enjoying the wonderful weather "Old Man Winter" has blessed us with this year. The club’s annual Red Bow project in December brought in over $800 to be donated to "The Wounded Heroes of Maine" project. No meetings were held in Jan. and Feb. generally because of bad weather; however, a display of the club’s scrapbook, copies of future programs and pamphlets of our local, state and national accomplishments was displayed in the local Library in February inviting new members to join. The March first meeting will feature "Quilts—A Story in fabric. Many members are still involved in this seemingly lost art coming back into vogue. Plans are in the making for the "Limerick Town Meeting" luncheon fundraiser. A big turnout is expected this year with maybe a little "Fire Works?" The community involvement in its politics is a good step in the right direction. High School Art contest in April is still presenting a challenge with District meeting to follow. GFWC Maine State President, Marjorie Goodwin, will be the speaker for the May meeting with Spring Convention to follow shortly thereafter. The club is looking forward to a strong attendance from District 1 as the GFWC Maine Convention is being held at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland. See you all there. Happy spring

GFWC Westbrook Woman’s Club January 2016 found the GFWC Westbrook Woman’s Club beginning the New Year with CPL Joseph Salisbury and his dog Tyson. Joseph works at the Windham Correctional Center. He and Tyson belong to the K-9 Narcotic Detection & Patrol Services. What a dangerous job they have. Money of $100 was donated to help purchase bulletproof vest for the dogs. What a really great speaker he was. Their second meeting found the listening to Lynda Adams telling them how to save money on some of their monthly facility bills, and a presentation from Westbrook High School candidate to Dirgo Girls State, which is a great experience for these students. February saw their Mid-Winter potluck luncheon with 33 members attending and a lot of different dishes were served plus wonderful desserts. Our speaker for the day was Janine Roberts, Chief of the Westbrook Police Department. She spoke on her career as a police officer and some of the dangers in the city. Their second meeting found them listening to Donna Dwyer telling about all the activities that go on at the “My Place Teen Center”. It is a great thing they do for the young students in the area. Students are from Westbrook, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Windham Kennebunk and many more towns. Feeding 36 young people every day at lunch on a vacation week, with many more at dinner time every day. It is a wonderful place for them to go after school. Spring will be here soon so HAPPY SPRING


21 Club of Kezar Falls In keeping with the season, 21 Club will begin the month of March with a meeting on the production of maple syrup provided by a local syrup maker. The public is invited to this meeting. Another meeting will be a fun night getting to know our Club family entitled "What's my Line". Outside of regular scheduled meetings, the club is hosting 2 dinners for the family literacy nights, an indoor yard sale, and honoring the young artists from the high school art show. Happy Spring everyone! DISTRICT 2 The District 2 High School Art Show and Contest will be held at LaFluers Restaurant 224 Main St, Jay, ME 04239, on April 2, 2016, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Following the Art Show, a District 2 Luncheon Meeting, will be held at LaFluers. The cost of the luncheon will be $14.00, tax and gratuity included. All those, planning to attend, must sign up, in advance, for the luncheon with either their club president or with the District 2 President, Joyce Noonan. (207) 474-9451, or email, [email protected]. GFWC Semper Fidelis Club The GFWC Semper Fidelis Club welcomed Gretchen Washburn to their January meeting to perform a “Paint Night” demonstration for the Club. Gretchen has been very successful in the area with this business, often selling out all spaces for her Paint Nights. Several members have painted with her before. It was amazing to see a landscape come to life using only five basic colors. It was decided that the Club wants to do a full Paint Night at Lake George

Regional Park sometime in the summer. Members participated in the Lake George Regional Park Winter Carnival again this year. It snowed two days before this event, which made the Cardboard Box Car Sled Race a success. The Club prepared S’mores for the participants and their families. The weather was perfect for this event! February is Dental Health month, so the Club meeting was spent making “No-No Arm Bands” to donate to Operation Smile. Club member Maureen Provencal, a Registered Dental Hygienist, spoke about the organization and explained to members what exactly cleft lips and cleft palates are. GFWC Semper Fidelis Club completed 45 No-No Arm Bands to donate!

GFWC Semper Fidelis Club completed 45 "No-‐no Armbands" to donate to Operation Smile at their February meeting. Pictured is Dot Lacasse, GFWC Semper Fidelis Club President

GFWC Livermore Falls Women’s Club January's meeting was held at LaFluers Restaurant, in Jay, The guest speaker was Poet, Laureate Wesley McMair. He taught at UMF, appointed by the Maine Arts Commission in 2011, to serve a term of five years. He read poems about home life which included, pets, aprons, old neighbors, honeymoon, and mothers-in-laws, to name a few. Muriel Bowerman spoke about the four lap robes members made and gave to Meals on Wheels. Celia Holmes, chairman of the fund raising committee, gave a report on plans for four fundraisers this year. Club members are excited about April 2nd, at LaFluers Restaurant, followed by District 2 meeting. The February workshop has been moved to March. There is a full calendar ahead that will keep members busy in the following months. Waldoboro Woman’s Club Waldoboro Woman’s Club members gathered in January to hear Lincoln County Commissioner William Blodgett speak on the subject of Animal Control Officers and Lincoln County’s role in the organization of town animal control officers. He described the changes in the role of officers over the years and mentioned the difficulties that many towns have had getting and keeping good persons. Presently, Lincoln County contracts several officers to fulfill the needs of 11 towns. Each town pays $15/hour and travel costs for the services of those under contract. Blodgett gave the protocol for contacting assistance in domestic animal problems. He also answered questions. Four towns have police departments and others are seen to by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.


February found the club meeting for lunch and then hearing from Janet Spear on the subject of the Spear Farm History and Operation which has been in existence since 1933, and is run primarily by Janet and Bob Spear. Janet gave a brief history of the founding family and proudly announced that a new generation of Spear members is engaged in the business with grandson Kyle playing a key role in the seed-planting portion of the business. Janet explained what diversified farming means. At this meeting, the members learned that four of the club’s scholarship recipients and four of the continuing education students have sent reports and have received their checks. Alice DePatsy reported that Adrianna Wadsworth will represent the club at the Maine Youth Leadership Conference in June. She also encouraged members to take part in the GFWC Arts competitions for 2016. The March meeting will feature a Pot Luck International Luncheon with members bringing favorite dishes from a variety of countries. At this meeting the club will hold an annual silent auction for the benefit of UNICEF. GFWC Skowhegan Woman’s Club The Skowhegan Woman’s Club met on January 13th at the Heritage House Restaurant. The speaker was the Rev Richard Berry from the Trinity Evangelical Church and founder of the Trinity Homeless Shelter. He explained how the shelter functions, its rules and the regulations for the residents of this shelter. The shelter is run completely on donations. They receive no federal, state, or town monies. Residents are assigned jobs to do and are expected to complete them without complaining. They also must attend church and Bible study. They have purchased land and are in the process of building a shelter for homeless families.

The club continues to go to the Redington Memorial Home each month and do crafts and provide companionship for the residents. Two Skowhegan High School graduates received one thousand dollar ($1000.00) scholarships, given by the club, after successfully completing their first semester. At the February meeting, Dr. David Richards spoke about his writing program for inmates at the Somerset County Jail and the impact it has on the inmates. Members signed over a hundred valentine cards that will be delivered to Veterans at Togus. On a wet, wet, Saturday, Feb 20th the club again participated in the FAB Fair, selling coffee, homemade doughnuts and crafts. Tickets were sold for the auction items, and once again a table was available for children’s’ activities and crafts. DISTRICT 3 Patawa Club Bangor In February, Andrew Files from St. Joseph’s Hospital spoke to Patawa members about the importance of advance directives. This month the group will meet at Phillips-Strickland House and learn about the senior living facilities from Activities Director, Linda Nickerson. The civics committee organized a fun afternoon of Bingo with residents at Sylvia Ross Home, a Bangor assisted living facility. The Ways and Means Committee is planning a “Wine and Design” paint your own wineglass fundraiser at Hollywood Casino on March 10th. Proceeds will benefit Spruce Run and other area organizations. More information and other club news is on their Facebook page at facebook.com/PatawaClub. Happy Spring!

GFWC ARTS Club Pittsfield The Pittsfield ARTS (Always Ready to Serve) club held their January meeting at the Pittsfield Public Library. The speaker for the evening was Mike Lynch of Northeast Planning Associates. Mike is a financial planner and he spoke on the financial abuse of the elderly and how everyone can be on the lookout for family and friends who may be affected by financial abuse. Mr. Lynch also mentioned some of the documents the elderly should have such as a will and living will, Power of Attorney, a medical directive, and a person who they trust to be on their checking account. ARTS club members filled Valentine bags at their February meeting. The bags and homemade cupcakes were delivered to residents of a local boarding home on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Also at the February meeting two Pittsfield residents presented members with an overview of their many trips and adventures they have made in the United States and out of the country. Slides were shown of where they had scuba dived off the coast of Maine and the shores of Florida, Cozumel, Roatan, Cayman Island, Palau, Aruba, Mayan Riviera, Curacao, and Bonaire. This was all very interesting to club members. The March meeting will have a speaker from Kleinschmidt Associates. Kleinschmidt has worked and is working on many projects in various fields such as Hydroelectric Engineering, Fish Passage, Onshore Wind, Marine Renewable Services, Ecological Services, Water Resources, and Regulatory and Regulatory Permitting. This should be very


interesting and we are fortunate to have such a company in our town. GFWC Newport Woman's Club The GFWC Newport Woman's Club, "Living the Volunteer Spirit", began 2016 with a luncheon meeting at Angler's restaurant. "Money Smart For Older Adults," a program to help prevent financial exploitation, was presented by Marjorie Downing, a local banking executive. An extensive resource guide was made available for each member. The theme of Elder Abuse Awareness continued with the February meeting, as Newport's Police chief shared another extensive program on Identity Theft and Privacy. Another resource guide containing emergency numbers and contact information was available to all. Club members partnered with a local church to support homeless groups that do not receive government funding. Having already served the Bangor area, items were sent to western areas such as Skowhegan, Solon, and Farmington. Several bags of winter clothing were collected. A Nokomis sophomore has been chosen to attend the Maine Youth Leadership (MYL) seminar in June. The Newport club offers a full scholarship each year. The Arts chairmen have been working with the Nokomis Art Department and have set a date for the local judging of entries of the GFWC Maine Art contest. Judging will be done at Newport's Cultural Center. The winner's will then move on to the District #3 contest at Jeff's catering April 9th. Members continue to be reminded to keep in touch with GFWC on the Facebook page as well as the Pinterest site. Many ideas are available to all.

DISTRICT 4 GFWC Castine Women’s Club The Castine Woman’s Club has been busy these lovely winter days with successful community and fundraising events. Thanks to a mild winter this year, the January and February Dinners-at-Noon were both a great success. The community enjoyed the warm companionship and delicious food so much that CWC hosted a third Dinner-at-Noon this year on March 15 with corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The luck of the Irish was certainly with the club this winter in raising funds for scholarships and community projects! The Club’s first general meeting of 2016 was held on March 1 with members enjoying a talk from the students and Headmaster Richard Crampton of the Reach Alternative School in Bucksport. Members were impressed by the uniqueness and value of the school’s programs and were also quite moved by the students’ poise, maturity, and enthusiasm. At the Club’s April 5 meeting, members are looking forward to an enlightening talk from Noelle Merrill on the invaluable services provided by the Eastern Area Agency on Aging. On May 3, in preparation for summer, the Wilson Museum Education Center will be pleased to welcome Charlie Cannon who will treat members to a talk on the history, exploration and activities of Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park. Community members and guests are always welcome at CWC presentations. The final meeting of the 2015-2016 year will take place at the Unitarian Parish Hall on June 7 with an annual meeting and installation of officers. This year’s annual meeting will be topped off with a special presentation by Carl Little speaking on Maine art as a prelude

to CWC’s upcoming art auction fundraiser. This spring, the Club will again raise funds by providing breakfast concessions at the annual town meeting in May. Also in May, the Club is excited to provide baked goods for Peninsula Middle School students participating in the Maja Trivia competition hosted by Wilson Museum. Other spring and summer fundraiser plans include a June bridge luncheon, a July 4 pie sale, and an August 3 art auction. The CWC is again thrilled to usher in the summer by hosting a Flash in the Pans concert on Monday evening, June 6, on the Castine Town Dock to raise dollars for area scholars. Come on down to the dock and enjoy dancing the night away to the beat of the steel drums! GFWC Lubec Women’s Club The Lubec Woman’s Club has had a busy few months. Starting off the winter season with the Lubec Outreach Center’s Senior and Veteran’s Holiday Party, where members donned elf hats and signature red aprons and served hearty helpings of turkey and ham dinners and happily watched as the guests helped themselves to their homemade cookies. Then in early January, club members bundled up in warm work clothes and alongside other community members and flexed their muscles to help relocate the furniture, fixtures, equipment and merchandise of the local food pantry to Lubec. During the following week some members helped to bag and distribute groceries during the “new” pantry’s opening day. Another January highlight was their participation in the distribution of Reading is Fundamental (RIF) books, to the Lubec Elementary School children. RIF is just one of the literacy programs that the club supports.


Each month one or two of the members host Third Thursday beano for seniors and several of the musically inclined members cross the Roosevelt International Bridge to Campobello to entertain residents of the nursing home. During the school year the Club sponsors Cash for Careers program for the 8th graders. The Cash for Career Program features a different local business person(s) as guest

speaker each month. The speakers discuss their respective business experiences; offer tips, tidbits of career advice and answer students’ questions. January’s speakers were Custom and Border Protection officers accompanied by their canine companion from the Lubec-Campobello International Crossing. Previous speakers have included a real estate agent, a restaurant owner and chef, a certified tree expert, dental and medical

assistants and customer service representatives from the local bank. The purpose of the program is to encourage students to continue their education and present some of the diverse career opportunities that are available locally.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE Per the Bylaws, "The report of the Nominating Committee shall be mailed with the official call to the Annual Meeting in the election year." On behalf of the committee, it is my pleasure to report the following candidates for the 2016 - 2018 Administration. President (automatic): Mary Libby President-elect: Nancy Ames Vice President: Carol Jarvais Recording Secretary: Wendy Bowler Treasurer: Sheri Walsh The new GFWC Maine President will appoint her Corresponding Secretary and Parliamentary Advisor. Elections will take place at Spring Convention in South Portland, Maine at the Portland Marriot Sable Oaks on May 12 and 13, 2016. Nominations may be taken from the floor in accordance with the GFWC Maine Bylaws. All dues paying members may vote. Please attend and vote! Anne H. Cress. Nominating Committee Chairman

Photo caption: Lubec 8th grade students, Cash for Careers Program guest speakers Custom and Border Protection Officers and K-‐9 companion.

Patawa members Lillian Zanchi, Cathy Harriman, Michele Scribner, Lindsey McMorrow, Lynne Darling, Lesley Waterman and Caitlin Sullivan at Sylvia Ross retirement home on Feb. 27th.


LEADERSHIP Hi friends - Each Saturday I look forward to GFWC News & Notes arriving in my “inbox.” I log onto my computer and check my email, looking forward to what’s the latest. What better way to keep up with all things GFWC than a weekly electronic newsletter right to my home. Each week I notice a message in the lower right hand corner that says, “If you haven’t yet subscribed to News & Notes, the best source for all things GFWC, what are you waiting for? Signing up is easy and give you access to timely news items from around Headquarters, our partners and our work on a national and local scale. Simply provide you name, mailing address, email, and club name to GFWC Membership Services Manager Kate Garlick at [email protected] and you’re all set.” If you are not already a subscriber, or if you are not aware of it, I encourage you check it out! And another thing! Have you heard that latest??! There is now an official GFWC App! Instructions to download are as follows (as stated in the February 6 issue of News & Notes): 1. Go to your [mobile] phone’s “App Store.” For

iPhone this is called the “App Store” and for Android this is called “Google Play Store App.”

2. Go to the store’s search bar and search “GFWC.” Do not search “General Federation of Women’s Clubs” because it will not bring up any results.

3. One of the first results you will see will have the GFWC logo against a blue background. This is our app! Follow your phone’s respective instructions for installing apps. • For iPhone, click the button that says “Get” or

“Install.” You will have to put in your Apple ID password before the ID begins to download.

• For Android, click the three dots next to the app. Then click “Install.” (You can view Feb. 6 edition of News & Notes for some additional information, but these instructions worked for me – not once, but twice. I have the app on my Android phone and also my iPad mini.)

Ladies, I have to say I love it!! Wow! Everything from the GFWC Club Manual, GFWC Bylaws, GFWC Partners, GFWC Top Projects, GFWC Pinterest, etc., plus an Activity Feed, and Photo Feed. It’s amazing – GFWC is amazing! I hope to see many of you at our spring convention! In closing, I’d like to share this thought: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou Peace, Suzanne Raymond GFWC Maine Leadership Chairman [email protected]

EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND AND MAUDE MACKENZIE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Spring is on the way and high school seniors will be applying for admission to colleges. One of our $600.00 interest-free loans would help in purchase of their necessary books. I am therefore hoping that you will remind your club members to spread word of this opportunity for assistance for graduates who are pursuing further education. Again, thanks for your assistance in our program. Alida L. Coates Chairman DELEGATE’S FUND Spring brings the promise of good times and warm days and flowers, sweet memories, and a commitment to play. We see changes in the countryside and changes in our town & changes in our government & in governments all around. G.F.W.C. Maine will also complete a chapter that we’ll remember fondly with smiles and laughter. I’m sending this note to all Clubs around the state, to say there is still time for you to participate. So send a donation to the Delegate’s Fund today and we will see you in May to celebrate and play! Billie Sherman, Chairman ENDOWMENT FUND Where did winter go?...or was it really here? I am happy to report that as of today the Endowment Fund in this current administration has raised $638.00! Thank you, thank you! But we are still not finished! I would love to receive more club donations any time! Looking forward to the Spring Convention to entice you with some wonderful raffle items! Thank you to the following for donating:

Skowhegan Woman’s Club Gorham Woman’s Club

Please consider donating and send to: Maureen Provencal 7 Daisy Lane Skowhegan, ME 04976

Thank you!


HOME LIFE Easter Seals provides services to ensure that all persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. Easter Seals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 550 service centers. Each center provides top quality, family- focused, and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the community it serves. Participate in "Celebrate Spring...Make Me Smile Day" on the first day of Spring. Working with your local Easter Seals affiliate, you can bring a smile to the face of children and adults served by Easter Seals by hosting an event, such as an ice cream social, tea party, carnival, or senior prom. Laura Neal GFWC Maine Home Life Chairman PUBLIC AFFAIRS Hello all. I hope you have been having a good winter or spring or whatever. I have been busy with club things. Miosac missed our last meeting due to the weather. We were going to make toys for the hospital. But we can all do them at home as I have. I enjoyed reading the six reports I received. Wish more clubs had reported. Maybe next year. Now I have to chose two for state awards. It has been a difficult task. Made my decision yesterday, wrote them up and the printer won't print them but I will get it done in time. I hope many of you are planning to attend Convention. Still not sure if I will be able too. I do miss them and seeing all of you. Take care and hope that spring comes soon and we have a warm wonderful one. Love to all. Minnie Mccormick ARTS DEPARTMENT The GFWC Maine Art Programs can promote encouragement of the arts and freedom of expression with consideration of decency and respect for diverse beliefs and values. The National Endowment for the Arts has grants available to artists and states to do just that. Our clubs can advocate for allocation of these funds and to develop additional sources of funding for the arts. The GFWC urges member clubs to support, maintain and contribute to the establishment of museums. Maine has the well established, excellent, Portland Museum of

Art. Please consider support to ensure Maine’s cultural enrichment continues for future generations. GFWC Maine’s support of the arts in schools and communities has always been a focus as art enhances our life. The arts help students’ confidence; social skills and art students are more likely to continue further education. May we continue to promote all arts in schools and communities. I was delighted this month to receive a greeting card with a print of Winslow Homer’s painting titled, Young Ducks, 1897. Homer’s painting is in the Portland Museum of Art. It was a bequest of Charles Shipman Payson. Now, I’m sure you visualize several young ducklings swimming with the mother duck or even a mother duck crossing the road with her ducklings following her in single file. This may even make you smile because it’s always a delight to see such a sight, but in this card you see a birch bark canoe with two men with paddles, stopping to watch the ducks swimming in the distance. It is an overcast day with reflection of clouds and the canoe. The colors are cool except for a warm sienna on the canoe and the men’s clothes. It evokes peaceful emotion of amusement. Gilbert Stewart is another artist that deserves attention. He painted a portrait of President George Washington. Maine artist of interest and one of the best is Jamie Wyeth associated with the Farnsworth Museum in coastal Rockland. All these might make education and fun art programs for our clubs or even using art to promote each of the departments, from conservation to public issues. Please continue your art in the community programs and projects. They bring great joy to everyone. Thank you to all the clubs that provided monetary donations to the art department. It’s your consideration that keeps the program moving forward. Help is always welcome for the Spring Art Show. Let me know if you can help set up the show. Artwork needs to be entered the first day at 9:00 a.m. as the judges start and judge until 10:00 a.m. and the show comes down at noon break on the second day. Photography is set up at the same time. Please let me know by email if you intend to enter and how may photographs you will enter. Until then, remember that EARTH without ART is only EH. Barbara Hathaway, Art Department Chairman 207-645-3449 [email protected]


GFWC MAINE SPRING CONVENTION May 12 & 13, 2016

Sable Oaks, South Portland, Maine Tentative Agenda

Wednesday May 11, 2016 3:00 p.m. GFWC Maine Executive Committee meeting Thursday May 12, 2016 8:00 Registration/Market Place 9:00 Opening session – Business 10:00 GFWC Greetings - Marian St. Clair, GFWC Second Vice President 10:30 Maine Youth Leadership Report 11:00 Maude MacKenzie Scholarship Educational Loan Fund 11:30-12:15 Market Place 12:15 “Honoring Our Members” Luncheon 1:30 Business Session reconvenes Carolyn Lombardi Trophy Award Directory Ad Commissions 2:00 Community Service Programs Conservation Education Art 3:00 Nominating Committee Report Nominating Speeches 3:30 – 4:40 Polls Open/ Market Place/ Art/Scrapbook exhibits Thursday evening 5:15 Social Hour 6:15 Processional 6:30 Banquet “Looking back, Looking forward” 7;30 Entertainment John MacDonald, Humorist/Storyteller Meet and Greet in President's suite 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm


GFWC MAINE SPRING CONVENTION May 12 & 13, 2016 - Tentative Agenda continued

Friday May 13, 2016 8:00 – 9:00 Polls Open Registration 9:00 Memorial Service 9:30 Call to order 9:45 President's Project Update Speaker TBA 10:45 Community Service Programs International Outreach Public Issues ESO Home Life 11:15 Election Results 11:30 2016-2018 Finance Committee Nominations 12:15 “Honoring Our Committees” Luncheon 1:30 Raffles Final Report of Registration Remarks by Retiring President Installation of 2016-2018 Administration Presentation of Gavel and President's pin Presentation of Past President's Pin Acceptance Speech 3:30 Adjournment Receiving Line for New Officers


GFWC MAINE SPRING CONVENTION- May12 & 13 - REGISTRATION FORM PORTLAND MARIOTT at SABLE OAKS, SOUTH PORTLAND

Name:__________________________________ Name for name tag: ________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:_____________________________________________________________________

Telephone:________________________ E-mail__________________________________________

Name of Club/Position: _____________________________________________________________

GFWC Maine Position: _____________________________ [ ] Guest [ ] GFWC Booster

Registration Fee - [ ] Thursday $15.00 [ ] Friday $15.00 [ ] Both days $25.00 EARLY BIRD gets the worm!! Register early for Early Bird Discount

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1. Make check payable to GFWC Maine for total of meals and registration fee. 2. Please complete a separate registration form for each attendee. 3. Mail registration form and check by April 25, 2016 to Joyce Noonan 327 East River Road,

Skowhegan, ME 04976. Telephone (207-474-9451) e-mail:[email protected] 4. Please note no refunds will be possible after May 1, 2016. 5. Early Bird Discount - Mail registration form and check postmarked on or before April 9, 2016 and qualify for a $10.00 discount for a two day registration, or a $5.00 discount for a one day registration!!! Registration Fee ........................................................................................................................... _____________ [ ] I qualify for the Early Bird Discount! (Deduct $10 or $5) ................................................ _____________ MEAL SELECTION: [prices include tax, service charge and gratuity] Thursday’s Country Deli Buffet ................................................................................................... $30.75 [__] Tossed Garden Salad, Tarragon Chicken Cashew Salad, Fresh Mozzarella Vine Tomato and Basil Salad, Cavatappi with Garbanzo Beans and Feta Salad, Make Your Own Sandwich Items: Roast Beef, Turkey, Ham, Cheddar, Swiss& Provolone Cheese. Assorted Breads rolls Variety of Cookie Bars and Blueberry Cake

Thursday’s Banquet Atlantic Salmon, pan seared with Orange Ginger Glace. ............................................................ $43.60 [__] Grilled Angus Top Sirloin, Cabernet Beurre Rouge ...................................................................... $43.60 [__] Chicken and Shrimp seared Boneless Chicken Breast with Sauteed Shrimp Lemon Caper Sauce $43.60 [__]

(All meals are served with salad, season fresh vegetable, potato or rice & rolls with Charlotte Royal Lemon for dessert.)

****Friday Breakfast is available in the Restaurant****

Friday’s Little Italy Buffet

Roasted Tomato and Artichoke, Grilled Mushroom and Cherry Peppers, Warm Garlic Bread and Caesar Salad, Chicken Milanaise on Marinara Bow Tie Pasta with Peas, Prosciutto and Black Truffle Alfredo, Zucchini Capricio, Tiramisu and Cannoli ............................................................................................................. $32.00 [___]

Total Meal and Registration Total $____________

Please indicate any special dietary need and we will try to accommodate.


PORTLAND MARIOTT AT SABLE OAKS, South Portland, Maine 2016 GFWC Maine - Spring Convention – May 12 & 13

Guest Room Rates $99.00 (plus 8% tax) per night, 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed

RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE HOTEL NO LATER THAN

April 24, 2016 for the guaranteed room rate

Requests made after this date will be subject to room availability. To receive contract rates, you must refer to "GFWC Maine" when making your reservation. Early reservations are encouraged. Rooms must be guaranteed to an individual credit card or by advance deposit. Individual cancellations must be received by 4:00 pm on arrival date in order to avoid a no-show charge of one night's room and tax. Hotel facilities include: FREE high speed wireless internet, use of fitness center, swimming pool, hot tub, and cardio strength training gym, cable television, irons, ironing boards, hair dryers, and coffee makers.

Check-in time 3:00 pm - Check-out time 11:00 am

Portland MARIOTT at SABLE OAKS, , 200 Sable Oaks Dr., South Portland ME Phone 207-871-7971

DIRECTIONS: Follow Maine Mall Road to the third traffic light and turn onto Running Hill Road. Take the first right into the Sable Oaks Office Park and the hotel will be on the left at the top of the hill. Attire for our gatherings Thursday - Business Casual

Thursday Banquet - Formal Friday - Business

***************************************************************************************** Cut along dotted line and mail with your check

SPRING CONVENTION MARKETPLACE – REGISTRATION FORM If your Club is interesting in earning some money, and you have Items to sell or raffle, please fill out this application and mail it WITH A SEPARATE CHECK to Joyce Noonan, 327 East River Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976 DO NOT INCLUDE IN YOUR CONVENTION REGISTRATION CHECK! Questions ? Phone: 207-474-9451 E-mail: [email protected] Deadline April SPECIAL NOTE: Table space for State Chairmen is FREE- BUT you still MUST submit an application and sign up to reserve your space. Those exempt from fees are the Delegate’s Fund, Endowment Fund, Signature Project, President’s Project, Fundraising, and Corresponding Secretary for directories, etc. Simply write “NO FEE” in the space you select, and fill out the rest of this form and mail it to Joyce Noonan. Marketplace space: FULL table $10.00 ____________Marketplace space: ½ table $5.00 ____________ NAME______________________________________________________________________________ PHONE_______________________E-MAIL__________________________________________ CLUB NAME______________________________________________________________________________ CHAIRMEN/ PROGRAM CATEGORY_____________________________________________________________________

(No food items are to be included for raffle or sale at this Marketplace, including jams, jellies, condiments, or any consumable item.)


The Information Highway – Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness

Common Consumer Scams IRS Imposter Scam Fake IRS agents – usually with a heavy foreign accent - may try to scare you into thinking you owe back taxes or there’s a problem with your return and you’ll be arrested immediately if you don’t pay them now. If you disagree they typically become rude and belligerent. The real IRS won’t initiate contact by phone or email – instead they’ll start with a postal letter. Hang up the phone. If you think you owe money to the IRS, contact a number you know to be correct or through www.irs.gov. Computer Fix Scams These scams usually involve a phone call from someone claiming to work for Microsoft or another well-known company who indicate they’ve been looking at your computer and have noticed dangerous software popping up. Another version tries to persuade you that your computer has a serious technological problem that needs immediate repair. In both instances the fraudsters want you to give them remote access to your computer. By doing so you give them free reign to your personal information, ability to download malware and spyware onto your computer, and they will probably lock your computer and ask for a ransom in order to get the code to unlock it. If you get this call hang up. If you are contacted via pop up or email about these things, delete them. Never give someone you don’t know access to your computer. Caller ID Fake Outs Technology exists that criminals use to make any number appear on your caller ID. It’s called spoofing. Sometimes the scammers use your own number. Always be on the alert that the person you think is calling could be just a way to get you to answer the phone. Credit Card Interest Rate Scam This scam usually begins with an automated phone call. A message will state that the call is coming from a company with a name like “card services”, “card holder services” or “credit card services.” You'll be told that you can lower your interest rate. The caller then requests your credit card number, social security number or other personal information. Never give out your credit card or bank account information based on an automated phone call. Medicare scam Many Maine seniors have received phone calls claiming to be from Medicare or from the ‘health office.’ The callers ask for the Mainer by name and appear to be offering seniors some sort of supplemental health insurance or prescription coverage. Never give any personal information to anyone over the phone. Consumers with questions about Medicare can get more information from the Medicare offices at 1-800-MEDICARE. Grandparent scam An increasingly common scam involves a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild. The scammer will claim that there has been a mishap and money is needed immediately. Never wire money or give out bank info based on a telephone call. Fake Check Scams Fake check scams often originate through email. Whatever the set-up, the bottom line is if someone you don't know sends you a check but wants you to wire money back, it's a scam. Be skeptical. There is no legitimate reason for you to wire money back to someone who has paid with a check. If you think you are a victim of a scam you should: • Contact the FTC 1-877-FTC-HELP • Contact your local post office • Contact the Maine Attorney General’s Office: 800-436-2131 Lottery/Sweepstakes You receive a letter in the mail saying you have won thousands of dollars in a lottery or sweepstakes. They send you a check to cover taxes or some other bogus fee. You deposit the check in your bank account and then wire the required fee, probably to Canada. Your bank contacts you days later to alert you that the check is fraudulent and you now have to pay the bank back.


Government Grants Someone calls you on the phone indicating that they are from the government and that the government wants to give you a government grant. They just need your bank account numbers to deposit the check. Don’t be fooled. The government doesn’t call people to give money away. Advance Fee Loan The scammers claim they can obtain a loan for you but you have to pay in advance. They may give an address in the U.S. but the address is bogus. They often want you to wire the advance fee to Canada. They tell you that once they receive the fee, they will deposit the loan proceeds into your bank account. You keep looking for the promised loan to show up in your bank account. The scammers then may tell you they need more money to insure the loan. You may end up sending more money. Again, the loan proceeds do not show up in your account. They promise you a refund within a couple of weeks once you tell them you want to cancel. Eventually, they will not accept any calls and the phone number may no longer be in use. You have been taken for hundreds of dollars. Remember, once you get on a scam list, they will call you again and again. Nigerian scheme You receive a letter, email or fax asking you to deposit checks or money orders, or asking for your bank account information. You may be asked to deposit money and then wire a percentage back to the scammer. The checks and money orders are counterfeit. You will end up paying back thousands to the bank. This scam often originates out of Nigeria. The scammers will have a seemingly good reason for asking your help. Do not believe them. Internet Phishing Phishing is a term that means getting your personal information by deception and using the information to steal your identity. A common phishing scheme comes through your email and disguises itself as a bank that needs to update your personal information. No matter how legitimate the message looks, never send personal information over the internet unless you initiate the contact.

From last year's Memphis experience -‐ We were out on a tour. . . this is at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis we were waiting to watch the famous duck's march in. Marjorie is standing beside the square grand piano, custom built expressly for

Francis Scott Key, circa 1838.

A Special Thank You to Marjorie Goodwin, GFWC Maine President, for providing the idea of the “Information Highway” and having all our clubs learn so much more about abuses and scams and their prevention, especially regarding - Elder Abuse Awareness.

Our pasts will truly determine our futures!


“Our Past Will Determine Our Future”

Wendy Bowler GFWC Maine

Corresponding Secretary PO BOX 732

Gorham, ME 04038

GFWC MAINE 123 Years of Volunteer Service

Nearly 100,000 members strong, the General Federation of Women's Clubs is united in its dedication to volunteer community service. While diverse in age, interests, and experiences, all clubwomen are united by a desire to create positive change in their communities. Get ready to make your plans for the 2016 GFWC Annual Convention – we’re heading to “Charm City” Baltimore, Maryland from June 25-29! At the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, you’ll easily be able to experience all the “charms” of this vibrant city right at your footsteps. Registration is now open – go to GWFC.org for more information and to register. Attending a GFWC Convention is a wonderful experience!

Documents

Pine Tree Notes - GFWC/Maine · 2016-03-12 · Pine Tree Notes March / April 2016 Page 3 DISTRICT PRESIDENTS District 1 Nancy Kenty [email protected] District 2 Joyce Noonan [email protected]